France
Vanoise & Gran Paradiso
Two national parks sharing a border and a shared mission: to protect the ibex. Some of the wildest and most pristine hiking in the French Alps.
The Vanoise National Park in Savoie was France's first national park, established in 1963 and directly linked to Italy's Gran Paradiso National Park across the Col Clapier. Together they form the largest protected area in the Western Alps. The result is a continuous wilderness of exceptional quality where wildlife thrives undisturbed.
Walking in the Vanoise means crossing high cols between glaciated massifs, passing hundreds of ibex and chamois grazing on the alpine meadows, and staying in the network of park-owned refuges that dot the trail system. The GR55 and GR5 long-distance routes pass through the heart of the park.
The gateway valleys — Val d'Isère, Pralognan-la-Vanoise, and Tignes — offer comfortable bases with excellent food, and the park wardens run informative nature programs throughout the summer season.
Where We Go
Interactive map coming soon
Tour Highlights
- Hike from France into Italy across the Col du Mont Cenis at 2,083 m
- Spot herds of ibex in the Vanoise — France's first national park
- Walk the spectacular GR55 through the heart of the Vanoise massif
- Cross into the Italian Gran Paradiso for a rare cross-border alpine day
- Trek the high route between Bonneval-sur-Arc and Val d'Isère
Difficulty & Fitness
Vanoise trails are well-maintained and clearly waymarked. Most day hikes are moderate with 600–900 m of elevation gain. The high routes linking the park to Italy are more demanding and suit experienced mountain walkers.
Where to Stay
The Vanoise's network of staffed mountain refuges is among the best in France. Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Bonneval-sur-Arc are the most atmospheric village bases with genuine mountain character.
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